Technical Abstract:
The SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive, launch in 2014) satellite mission will include global measurements of soil moisture at 40 km, 10 km and 3 km resolutions with a 3-day revisit time. The goal accuracy for these products is 0.04 m3/m3. Over the past three years the SMAP project has developed a calibration/validation (Cal/Val) plan that will utilize a wide range of methodologies. These include in situ observations (both dense and sparse networks), products from other satellites, model products, and field experiments. An overview of the SMAP mission status, soil moisture products and algorithms, and Cal/Val plan will be presented. USDA is an equal opportunity employer.